Past Rites is the third book in Claire Stibbe’s Detective Temeke’s Crime Series and like the first two it packs a wallop. This is a deeply psychological examination of bullies and the cliques that engage in those behaviors. Beyond that Stibbe tackles the subject of child abuse and the subsequent psychological damage it does. When Temeke is removed from Homicide he is assigned the laborious … Continue reading “Past Rites” by Claire Stibbe
“The Feathers” by RC Heydn is an intense serial killer thriller. The horrors of the crimes start in the first chapter and continue throughout. I was immediately hooked and had difficulty setting it down to go to sleep. The last line at the end of chapter one was so gripping and unexpected I sat open mouthed for several minutes before continuing. The story takes place … Continue reading The Feathers by RC Heydn
Laura Lippman is skilled at creating stories that have more twists and turns that a country road. What the Dead Know is a perfect example of her talent. From the first page she sets up the mystery, presenting the main character caught up in a situation she did not foresee and is ill prepared for. With flashbacks, different characters perspectives, and a puzzle thirty years … Continue reading “What the Dead Know” by Laura Lippman
I’ve enjoyed Lynda Filler’s “Jet” series and was eager to read her book, “Target in the Sun”. Winning an autographed copy in a contest I never expected such a compelling story. The book is written in a very unique style; told from the perspective of three characters through using e-mails and journals as well as narrative. It’s much more than a romance; it’s the story … Continue reading “Target in the Sun” by Lynda Filler
Let me begin by saying I am not a big fan of BDSM but I am a big fan of the writing of Alexis Alvarez. I have enjoyed every book I have read that she has authored. It was with a degree of uncertainty that I began “Casey’s Choice”. I am delighted I took the leap. This is not just a book about “kinky” sex. … Continue reading “Casey’s Choice” by Alexis Alvarez
As a former New Yorker who watched the attack on the city of my birth I am frequently drawn to books that deal with the horrible events of September 11th. Sometimes it is difficult for me to get through the stories as they touch a nerve that was exposed that day and still lies just beneath the surface of my heart. I had “The … Continue reading The Architect of Revenge: A September 11th Novel by T.W. Ainsworth
“ALL HAIL the Short Story!” These 15 short stories come from those shaded corners; the shadowy recesses of our minds where deceit and revenge take refuge. Only to surface when we choose to be most unpleasant to our neighbors, our colleagues, our lovers, and to our families—and even our species. Above all, it’s the unpredictable kinks that catch you unaware that make the ‘CROOKED TALES’ … Continue reading “Crooked Tales” The Final Tale
“A short story is something that you can hold in your mind. You can really analyze how the entire thing works, like a machine.” Chuck Palahniuk Satisfaction of a Full Story (but with fewer words) Despite fewer words, the journey into the imagination is complete, as is the satisfying story arc and memorable characters. For the curiosity tempted, no longer the slow slog to reach a … Continue reading “Crooked Tales” The Grande Finale
“The cool thing about reading is that when you read a short story or you read something that takes your mind and expands where your thoughts can go, that’s powerful.” Taylor Swift Enrich Relatable Experiences with Short Stories With a Smartphone, eBook, or paperback easily at hand, it is easy to read anywhere. Let us count real reading moments that fill the void of time … Continue reading Crooked Tales: Short and Cool
“Like some kind of particularly tenacious vampire the short story refuses to die, and seems at this point in time to be a wonderful length for our generation.” Neil Gaiman Crooked Tales: As Crooked As They Want to Be It’s those shaded corners; the shadowy recesses of our minds where deceit and revenge take refuge. Only to surface when we choose to be most unpleasant … Continue reading More From “Crooked Tales”
I write southern historical fiction, local history, and I've written a devotional book. The two novels I'm writing are set in Virginia and the Carolinas in the 1760s. My weekly blog started out to follow my journey as a writer and a reader, but in 2025 it has been greatly expanded to include current events and politics in the United States as I see our democracy under attack from within. The political science major in me cannot sit idly by and remain silent.
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